Corporate & Hospitality

Moore respect for 'Roos

Veteran defender Craig Moore believes Saturday's international friendly against European giants the Netherlands is proof positive the Qantas Socceroos have at last earned the respect of the world's top football nations.

Veteran defender Craig Moore believes Saturday's international friendly against European giants the Netherlands is proof positive the Qantas Socceroos have at last earned the respect of the world's top football nations.

The Qantas Socceroos scored an upset 2-1 win over their more fancied rivals in Eindhoven last September and managed a draw in the only other meeting between the two countries in the lead-up to the 2006 World Cup.

Moore is convinced such performances - and not the fact the side is now coached by Dutchman Pim Verbeek - are the reason they are now able to attract the No.3 ranked side to Australian shores.

"Obviously now with our connections with Pim and the Dutch people that are involved obviously the games happen, but they wouldn't have taken that game on if they didn't have the respect for our national team and what we've achieved in recent years," Moore said.

"I'm really looking forward to the game, hopefully it's a real test because it'll definitely be a step up for me from playing Hyundai A-League to international football against such a fantastic side, but these are the challenges I enjoy because you will be tested against quality opposition."

"They're a great side and have been for many years now."

"I wasn't involved in the last game where obviously the boys got a fantastic result but I played Holland leading up to the last World Cup , we had a friendly against them and it was a one-each game there."

Moore, who has not featured in the national team since the disastrous 1-0 Asian cup qualifying loss to Kuwait in March due to injury, will be rushed straight into the starting side to bolster the back-four.

Having retired in early 2008 only to return later that year at the urging of the coach, the 33-year-old is once again a pivotal member of the starting XI.

But although flattered by the public calls for his return whenever he is absent, Moore believes a lack of depth in the defensive ranks has helped his cause.

"Mark Viduka's been mentioned a lot and myself and I think that's because they're probably two positions that have not really been taken otherwise let's be honest, myself and big Mark wouldn't be mentioned," he said.

"We're getting to the later stages (of our careers) although I do still feel physically fit and feel as if I can do that job."

"There's a lot of players who have come in defensively and played a few games and then another couple have come in and played a few games but there hasn't really been a settled backline for a good couple of years."

The Netherlands clash will serve as a warm-up for Wednesday's crucial must-win Asian Cup qualifier against Oman at Etihad Stadium.